Edible straw

ABSTRACT

An edible straw enables intake of water as well as active ingestion of active ingredients of an edible part during use of the straw, and can be eaten after use of the straw. An edible straw is formed into a tubular shape of a size suitable for using an edible material as the straw, and on an inner circumferential wall of the edible straw in the tubular shape, a groove is engraved, which has a length that spans an entire length in a direction along a lengthwise direction, and is formed into a substantially rectangular shape in a top view of the edible straw.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-162567, filed Aug. 31, 2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate to an edible straw that is a straw with which a beverage can be sucked and drunk and that is formed of a material that can be eaten as food.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, when drinking a beverage such as juice or iced coffee at a store or the like, it has been common to use a straw. The straw is formed from a polypropylene, polyethylene, polylactic acid or the like of synthetic resin, and is discarded after use to be industrial waste. The industrial waste is a global problem, in particular because it causes marine pollution, and microplastics finely broken down in the sea contaminate marine organisms, and there is also concern about adverse effects on humans.

For the problem like this, National Publication of International Patent Application No. 2003-505126 discloses a straw that is made of bonbons, sugar or other types of candy, and can be eaten. In other words, the straw described in National Publication of International Patent Application No. 2003-505126 can be eaten after drinking the beverage is finished, and therefore industrial waste can be decreased.

On the other hand, in recent years, the environment surroundings Japan has changed dramatically, and the environment in Japan has changed to a hot and humid environment due to global warming, the heat island phenomenon in Japan and the like. Due to the environmental change to high temperature and humidity, transition to the aging society and the like, the patients who develop heat stroke increase year by year, which becomes a problem. As the measures for preventing the heat stroke, it is important to provide adequate intake of water, and supplementation with active ingredients including appropriate salt content and the like.

In consideration of such a situation, an edible straw is desirable, which enables ingestion of active ingredients including salt as well as a beverage during use as a straw, and can be eaten after end of the use of the straw, that is, drinking the beverage.

However, the edible straw described in National Publication of International Patent Application No. 2003-505126 does not intend to actively ingest the ingredients of the edible part, and therefore has the problem that it is difficult to ingest the ingredients of the edible part with the beverage when drinking cold beverages for which straws are normally used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is made in the light of the above described problem, and a specific object of the invention is to provide an edible straw that enables intake of water as well as active ingestion of active ingredients of an edible part during use of the straw, and can be eaten after use of the straw.

The present invention is devised to achieve the above described object. Describing in detail, the present invention is an edible straw that is made by forming an edible material into a substantially tubular shape of a predetermined size, and includes a configuration including a groove that extends along a lengthwise direction of an inner circumferential wall formed in a substantially tubular shape, of the edible straw, and is formed into a substantially rectangular shape and is engraved outward in a radial direction from a surface portion of the inner circumferential wall in a top view, in which an outer circumferential wall of the edible straw has a surface in a smooth state.

Since the edible straw of the present invention includes the groove on the inner circumferential wall, the contact area of the edible material and the beverage which is drunk with the edible straw increases as compared with the straw having no groove, and thereby the effect of the active ingredients of the edible material easily dissolving into the beverage is obtained.

The present invention includes a configuration in which a plurality of grooves are engraved in directions to extend radially outward in a radial direction, in a top view of the edible straw.

Since the edible straw of the present invention includes a plurality of grooves on the inner circumferential wall, the contact area increases more, and the effect of the active ingredients of the edible material easily dissolving into the beverage is obtained, and at the same time, the solubility can be adjusted by the number of grooves.

Further, the present invention includes a configuration including a groove that extends in a direction along a lengthwise direction of an inner circumferential wall formed in a substantially tubular shape of an edible straw that is made by forming an edible material into a substantially tubular shape of a predetermined size, and is formed into a substantially rectangular shape that is engraved outward in a radial direction from a surface portion of the inner circumferential wall in a top view, and a reduced diameter portion that spans a substantially entire circumference except for a portion where the groove is engraved on the inner circumferential wall where a hollow portion of the edible straw is formed, in which the reduced diameter portions are formed in at least three locations, and an outer circumferential wall of the edible straw has a surface in a smooth state.

In the edible straw of the present invention, the contact area is increased by the groove, and change in flow velocity of the beverage occurs by further providing the reduced diameter portions, whereby the effect of active ingredients of the edible material dissolving more easily is obtained.

Further, the edible straw of the present invention includes a configuration in which the groove, along the lengthwise direction, changes its position in a circumferential direction by a predetermined amount in a fixed direction, and forms a spiral shape.

Since in the edible straw of the present invention, the groove is engraved in the spiral shape, the beverage flows in a spiral shape, and the effect of the active ingredients in the edible material easily dissolving in the beverage is obtained.

The present invention includes a configuration in which the edible material is made of hard candy mainly including sugar or starch syrup or soda flavored sweets mainly including glucose, to which fruit juice, flavor and the like are added.

Since in the edible straw of the present invention, fruit juice, flavor and the like are added to hard candy or soda flavored sweets, the edible straw can provide favorite flavor other than the original taste of the beverage to consumers by intentionally adding the favorite flavor to the beverage.

The present invention includes a configuration in which sodium, anhydrous citric acid, or vitamin is added to the edible material.

Since the edible straw of the present invention is made by adding sodium, anhydrous citric acid or vitamin to the edible material, and has a shape in which the active ingredients of the edible material easily dissolve in the beverage, the user can take in the ingredients effective to the measures against heat stroke at the time of intaking water.

Since the edible straw of the present invention enables intake of water as well as ingestion of the active ingredients of the edible part at the time of drinking the beverage, the edible straw is effective for the measures against heat stroke or the like, and the edible straw can add favorite flavor of the edible part to the beverage, can be eaten after use of the straw, and therefore has the effect of decreasing industrial waste.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a first embodiment of an edible straw according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the edible straw illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the edible straw illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top view illustrating an edible straw according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view illustrating an edible straw according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view illustrating an edible straw according to a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view illustrating an edible straw according to a fifth embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view illustrating another edible straw according to the fifth embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a top view illustrating another embodiment of the edible straw according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a top view illustrating an embodiment of an edible straw in a polygonal tube shape;

FIG. 11 is a top view illustrating an embodiment of an edible straw showing another groove shape;

FIG. 12 is a top view illustrating an embodiment of an edible straw showing a semi-circular groove shape; and

FIG. 13 is a top view illustrating an embodiment of an edible straw showing a trapezoidal groove shape.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the drawings are schematically illustrated, and dimensions, ratios and the like in the drawings do not always coincide with actual dimensions, ratios and the like. Further, among the drawings, portions having different mutual dimensional relationships and ratios may be included.

Note that in the present embodiment, a lengthwise direction refers to a direction along an entire length L, a vertical section refers to a section along the lengthwise direction, and a circumferential direction refers to a direction along an R.

First Embodiment

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, an edible straw 1 according to a present embodiment is formed into a tubular shape of a size suitable for using an edible material as a straw. Further, on an inner circumferential wall 2 formed into a substantially tubular shape of the edible straw 1 in the tubular shape, a groove 3 in a substantially rectangular shape is engraved, which has a length that spans an entire length L in a direction along the lengthwise direction, and is engraved outward in a radial direction from a surface portion of the inner circumferential wall 2 in a top view.

Second Embodiment

As illustrated in FIG. 4, in an edible straw 1 according to the present embodiment, eight grooves 3 are engraved in directions in which the eight grooves extend radially outward in a radial direction in a top view, and a shape in a top view of the groove 3 is formed into a substantially rectangular shape.

Third Embodiment

As illustrated in FIG. 6, an edible straw 1 according to the present embodiment has an entire shape formed in a substantially tubular shape, and in a hollow portion 4 that is formed into a substantially tubular shape, a reduced diameter portion d1 and an enlarged diameter portion d2, and a groove 3 in a substantially rectangular shape that extends in a direction along a lengthwise direction of an inner circumferential wall 2, has a length that spans an entire length L of the edible straw 1, and is engraved outward in a radial direction from a surface portion of the inner circumferential wall 2 in a top view are formed. Further, the reduced diameter portion d1 and the enlarged diameter portion d2 are formed to span a substantially entire circumference of the inner circumferential wall 2 except for a portion where the groove 3 is engraved.

Fourth Embodiment

As illustrated in FIG. 7, in an edible straw 1 according to the present embodiment, a groove 3, along the lengthwise direction, changes its position in a circumferential direction R by a predetermined amount in a fixed direction so that it is formed into a spiral shape.

Further, in an edible straw 1 illustrated in FIG. 8, a groove 3 is formed into a spiral shape, and at the same time, a reduced diameter portion d1 and an enlarged diameter portion d2 are formed in a hollow portion 4.

Fifth Embodiment

An edible straw 1 according to the present embodiment is formed, as an edible material, from a material made by adding fruit juice, flavor, acidulant or the like to hard candy mainly including sugar or starch syrup, or a material made by adding fruit juice, flavor, acidulant or the like to soda flavored sweets mainly including glucose, or both of hard candy and soda flavored sweets.

Sixth Embodiment

An edible straw 1 according to the present embodiment is formed by adding sodium, anhydrous citric acid, vitamin, etc. to the above described edible material.

The edible straw 1 according to the present embodiment can be formed according to a well-known method. For example, a candy material, which is obtained by adding starch syrup to sugar first, adding fruit juice, flavor, sodium, anhydrous citric acid, vitamin, or the like to the sugar with the starch syrup, and heating and pressurizing the resultant sugar with the starch syrup in a vacuum steam pressure pot, and the obtained candy material is poured into a die, and is formed into a plate shape, after which, the candy material is formed into a straw shape, and is cooled to be solidified, whereby the edible straw 1 can be produced. Further, the candy material obtained in the above description may be formed into a tube shape by extrusion.

Note that the inner wall surface may be worked after the candy material is formed into the tube shape, or may be worked at the same time.

Furthermore, when the edible straw is formed of soda flavored sweets, the edible straw can be formed according to a well-known method. For example, the edible straw can be made by wet-mixing glucose fine powder and the other raw materials, working the inner wall surface after unmolding, and further drying the straw.

As above, according to the present embodiment, the edible straw 1 has a shape in which the active ingredients of the edible material easily dissolve in a beverage. In more detail, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the edible straw 1 is formed into the shape in which a contact area of the beverage and the edible straw 1 becomes large. Further, in the third embodiment, the edible straw 1 is formed into the shape in which change in flow velocity of the beverage is generated by providing the enlarged diameter portion and the reduced diameter portion. Further, in the fifth embodiment, the edible straw 1 is formed into the shape in which a spiral change can be applied to the flow of the beverage by forming the groove 3 into the spiral shape, and therefore there is an effect of the active ingredients of the edible material easily dissolving in the beverage respectively.

According to the invention, the active ingredients that are added to the edible straw 1 are dissolved at the time of taking a beverage and are drunk together with the beverage. Thereby, favorite flavors are added particularly to flavorless beverages, alcohol and the like, and commercially beneficial effects can be obtained for consumers.

Further, according to the invention, as a result that ingredients effective for measures against heat stroke such as sodium, anhydrous citric acid and vitamin are added to the edible straw 1, users can take the active ingredients as well as intaking water. In particular, use in facilities for elderly people, facilities for infants and the like is effective, and the edible straw 1 is effective in heat stroke prevention measures for elderly people and infants.

Further, according to the invention, since the edible straw 1 is formed of the edible material, the edible straw 1 can be eaten after the use as the straw is finished, and therefore the edible straw 1 has the effect of playing a role in solving problems such as marine pollution that is a concern by discarding straws and the like as industrial waste.

As above, the best configuration, method and the like for carrying out the present invention are disclosed in the above description, but the present invention is not limited to them.

For example, in the above described embodiments, the groove 3 is described as substantially rectangular in a top view, but the groove 3 is not limited to the configuration, but may have a configuration in which the groove 3 is substantially trapezoidal in a top view, as illustrated in FIG. 13, for example.

Further, in the above described embodiments, the groove 3 is described as having the length that spans the entire length of the edible straw 1, but the groove 3 is not limited to the configuration, and may have a configuration in which the groove 3 is engraved partially in the lengthwise direction, for example.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   1 Edible straw -   2 Inner circumferential wall -   3 Groove -   4 Hollow portion -   d1 Reduced diameter portion -   d2 Enlarged diameter portion -   D Outside diameter -   R Circumferential direction -   L Entire length 

1. An edible straw made by forming an edible material into a substantially tubular shape of a predetermined size, comprising: a groove that extends to span an entire length in a direction along a lengthwise direction of a substantially tubular shaped inner circumferential wall of the edible straw, and is formed into a substantially rectangular shape engraved outward in a radial direction from a surface portion of the inner circumferential wall in a top view, wherein an outer circumferential wall of the edible straw has a surface in a smooth state.
 2. The edible straw according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of grooves are engraved.
 3. The edible straw according to claim 1, wherein the groove, along the lengthwise direction, changes its position in a circumferential direction to form a spiral shape.
 4. The edible straw according to claim 1, wherein the edible material comprises hard candy mainly including sugar or starch syrup or soda flavored sweets.
 5. The edible straw according to claim 1, wherein the edible material contains sodium. 